Sandiford, Bill

This nominee has

39

statements of support.

Affiliation: Self-Employed

Nomination Committee Evaluation: Well Qualified

Candidate Speech

Nominee Questionnaire

1. Board of Trustees Qualifications and Responsibilities

Please review the ARIN Board of Trustees Expected Qualifications and Responsibilities thoroughly. Please describe, providing specific details, any barriers you foresee to your fully meeting those qualifications and undertaking those responsibilities. A Trustee’s responsibilities have usually required about 5-10 hours per week.

I do not foresee any barriers to fully meeting the qualifications and undertaking the responsibilities as described.

2. Conflicts of Interest

a) Please disclose any conflicts of interest you may have, real or perceived, that would impact your ability to perform your duty as a member of the ARIN Board of Trustees. (If no conflicts, please enter “N/A”)

I am not aware of any conflicts of interest that would impact my ability to perform my duties as a member of the ARIN Board of Trustees

b) How do you propose to resolve any conflicts identified in (a)? (If no conflicts identified, please enter “N/A”)

N/A

c) Are you currently eligible to serve on the Board of Trustees according to the Conflict of Interest Requirements and the eligibility requirements?

Yes

d) If not currently eligible, describe how you will become eligible to serve, if elected (i.e., “If elected, I will resign from the position of ____________  before 31 Dec 2022”). If currently eligible, please enter “N/A”.

N/A

3. Education

a) Please list any degree(s) you received, the institution and the date issued.

  • None. I attended Laurentian University in Sudbury, ON, Canada in the B.Sc Computer Science program for 1.5 years before leaving to start a business.

b) Please list any professional designations, certifications, or development education (non-degree) and the dates completed.

  • University of Toronto – Rotman School of Management – Not-For-Profit Director Program – 2012

4. Employment and Experience

a) Please provide the name of any company or organization you currently are employed by, or from which you receive directly or indirectly a material portion of your compensation. Please describe the business of each such entity, your current title, and the office address of the organization.

Self Employed – Independent Telecommunications Consultant

Providing management and leadership advice and services to small and medium sized Internet Service Providers and Telecommunications Companies

b) Please refer to the ARIN Board of Trustees Guidance to the 2022 Nomination Committee in answering this question: Please describe your relevant professional experience and expertise and explain how this background will make you an effective trustee.

I have served on the board of ARIN since 2014.  During that time, I served as vice chair from 2018-2021 and as chair from late 2021 to present.

I am a graduate of the University of Toronto Rotman School of Business NFP Director program.   The program is designed to educate directors or trustees of not-for-profit organizations, like ARIN.

I served on the board of the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) for 9 years.  CIRA operates the .ca ccTLD registry.  During that time, I served as chair of multiple committees and also as the vice chair of the board.  During my time on the board I was involved with two major strategic plans and sat on every committee of the board including the risk committee.

I served as the President of the Competitive Network Operators of Canada (CNOC) for six years.  CNOC is a trade association that represents independent ISPs and Telecom companies in Canada.  Activities included government relations, strategic planning,  and many appearances before the CRTC

Outside of the technology space, I have sat on the board of not-for-profit organizations in the community in which I reside.

In my professional capacity, I led a technology company (that was an ARIN member) for 18 years before leading it to a successful acquisition. 

My experience as detailed above is diverse, and has provided me with the relevant expertise and experience to serve as an effective trustee.

Attach a resume, curriculum vitae, or other biography highlighting your experience most relevant to the duties of the ARIN Board of Trustees. (PDF, DOC, DOCX files only)

https://arin-elections.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/sandiford_resume.pdf

You may also optionally include additional web links to external websites (e.g., social media), though not as a substitute for your biography. One URL per line.

None provided

5. Governance Experience

a) Please identify any boards on which you currently serve that carry fiduciary duties, whether at a for-profit or non-profit organization. Please note how long you have served and what offices, if any, you have held.

American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) – Non-Profit Organization – 2014-Present

Currently serve as Chair of the Board. Previously served as Vice Chair and Treasurer

b) Please identify any other boards on which you have served in the past 10 years that are not included in answer to (a), listing your dates of service.

  • Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) – 2012-2021
  • Competitive Network Operators of Canada (CNOC) – 2010-2016
  • Toronto Internet Exchange (TorIX) – 2009-2011
  • Whitby Minor Hockey Association – 2016-2017

c) What is the role of ARIN’s Board of Trustees?

The Board of Trustees maintains authority over the scope, mission, and along with the President and Chief Executive Officer establishes the strategic direction and fiscal oversight of the organization.  Additionally, the Board also has oversight authority of the nomination, appointment, and election of individuals to Board committees and similar roles.

d) How does your past governance experience prepare you to help fulfill that role by serving as an ARIN Trustee?

Over the years I have been involved with the governance of many organizations, including ARIN.

The experience and skillsets that I have gained and demonstrated have prepared me to properly fulfill the role of an ARIN Trustee.

6. Understanding of ARIN’s role in the Internet governance ecosystem

a) What is ARIN’s role in the Internet governance ecosystem?

ARIN manages a critical slice of the Internet in our region and around the world.

ARIN is one of five regional internet registries (RIR). Each RIR follows policies set by their community to delegate internet number resources to their customers.  Each RIR serves customers in their own geographic region.

ARIN also participates as a member of the community in various internet governance fora.

b) Describe any past experience or involvement with ARIN or other Internet governance bodies.

Prior to joining the ARIN Board of Trustees in 2014, I was a member of the ARIN Advisory Council from 2009 until 2013. 

Outside of ARIN, I was a member of the board of CIRA from 2012 until 2021.  Amongst other things, CIRA manages the .ca ccTLD for Canada and is a sizeable contributor to the internet governance ecosystem.

7. Board Discussion Topics

a) Risk Oversight and Management

i) Understanding and overseeing organizational and environmental risk is an important responsibility of Trustees. What do you see as potential risks to the organization, and which are newer risks that have emerged more recently?

One of the main risks that ARIN faces is one that faces almost every organization in the world in the digital age, cybersecurity. 

Ensuring that ARINs systems, policies, and procedures are secure and resistant to cyber threats is critical.

Some of the other risks that ARIN faces are ensuring the integrity of not only ARINs registry, but ensuring the integrity and stability of the RIR system as a whole.

Other risks include standard items like financial stability, managing technical debt, and the human resource challenges that have emerged as a result of the pandemic.

ii) How should the Board best discharge its responsibilities regarding risk oversight and management?

A board of directors cannot and should not be involved with the day to day management of risk.  However, a board should satisfy themselves that the risk management policies and procedures of the organization are well aligned with the organization’s risk appetite and corporate strategy. Further, as part of its oversight role, the board should ensure that these policies and procedures are being applied by staff and functioning as intended.

iii) How will you contribute to strengthening risk oversight and management at ARIN?

If re-elected I will continue to ensure that the board follows all current best practices with regard to managing risk and risk oversight.  This includes ensuring that the proper committees of the board are formed and properly overseeing all aspects of risk to the organization and that risk oversight and management are taken into consideration while setting the strategic direction of the organization.

b) Strategy

i) Supporting and reviewing the strategic direction identified by ARIN’s management, in consultation with its membership, is an important responsibility of Trustees. Based on your understanding of ARIN’s current strategic plan and the environment in which it operates, what opportunities or challenges do you foresee for the organization?

ARINs current strategic plan has four main pillars which guide how the organization operates in an effort to reach its stated goals.

One of those pillars revolves around providing industry leading internet number registry services to its customers.  In this area ARIN has great opportunity. Over the coming years ARIN has the opportunity to make a huge positive impact with its customer facing support services and its service delivery approach.  The introduction of programs like the Premier Support Plan reinforce ARIN’s commitment to customers in this regard.

However, ARIN does face challenges. One of those challenges is protecting the multi-stakeholder approach and the RIR system.  Recent developments in other regions have highlighted this challenge both in the ARIN region and around the world.  ARIN must continue to work with its peers to ensure a stable internet number registry system.

ii) How might these challenges and opportunities influence current or future strategic plans?

ARIN’s strategic plan will need to be well defined yet able to adapt and morph to the challenges that the organization faces and the opportunities that present themselves.

With regard to opportunities, the success (or failure) of strategic programs must be taken into account while setting future strategic goals.

When it comes to challenges, ARIN must be sure to set strategic goals that allow the organization to be rigid in areas where it needs to, yet be nimble enough to respond to the various challenges that the organization faces both today and in the future.

iii) Please explain how your background and experience would help in addressing what you believe are ARIN’s greatest challenges.

Over the years my experience, not only with ARIN but also in the professional world and by serving on the board of other non-profit organizations, has given me the skills that are required to tackle ARIN’s challenges.

My participation with numerous organizations over the years has given me much experience when it comes to setting corporate strategies, managing risk, and all levels over oversight that is required to be an effective member of the board of an organization like ARIN.

39 responses

  1. Paul Andersen, Past Board Chair

    I am writing to ask the ARIN membership to return Bill Sandiford to the Board of Trustees. From a governance perspective it is important to have this continuity as Bill has been supporting the Board since I stepped down last year and he is helping to guide the implementation of our last three year strategic plan.

    I support the NomCom’s designation of Well Qualified for Bill. I have worked with him in several roles over the last two decades where he has been a strong leader in the Internet Community. He was the founder of the Canadian Independant ISP trade association that he led for many years which successfully brought together several competitors and he was instrumental in shaping Canadian telecom policy.

    He has held leadership positions or Chaired several boards including TorIX, CNOC and CIRA. He has one of the sharpest strategic minds I have encountered and he is sensitive to all stakeholders when trying to find solutions to complex problems.

    For these reasons I urge the members to give Bill one of your votes.

  2. Alyssa Quinn

    I’ve known Bill for 7 years through the ISP and DNS community in Canada, as well as in the ARIN sphere. Bill is principled, straightforward, and collaborative. He knows the industry and he knows his community. He brings many years of governance expertise to the table, as well as a political acumen you don’t often encounter in technical circles. Bill has really stepped up as Board chair this last year and I endorse his re-election.

  3. Paul Stewart

    I have had the pleasure of knowing Bill for many years. He is very personable, knowledgeable and extremely passionate with anything that he undertakes including his involvement with ARIN. I fully endorse Bill’s candidacy for the ARIN elections. Thank you.

  4. Jon Nistor

    I’m happy to support Bill. We have worked together in varying capacities over the last two decades. His broad range of knowledge has been invaluable throughout these years. i know Bill has the best intentions in each of the roles he occupies and always ensures fairness is in play. i would suggest anyone strongly consider re-electing Bill.

  5. I have worked with Bill many times over the past two decades on a variety of projects and initiatives. In every instance, I have been impressed with his rare combination of being a visionary that is able to aggressively push technological boundaries while maintaining the quality and operational readiness of existing products and services. Exactly the qualities ARIN should be looking for in their board members!!

  6. Catherine Middleton

    I am pleased to support Bill Sandiford’s re-election to the ARIN Board. He has served the board very well as Board Chair, acting with integrity, advancing good governance practices and providing strong institutional knowledge of ARIN and the broader internet community. Bill is a great team player, easy to work with, and committed to the success of the organization. He is an excellent board member and will continue to serve ARIN and its community well in his next term on the board.

  7. Sean Maskell

    Knowing Bill for over 15 years and not once have I noticed any deviation on his Passion, Commitment, Vision and Leadership within the Canadian telecommunications industry. His dedication to this industry and his community is second to none and I fully support his stewardship within the ARIN board!

  8. Doug North

    I have worked with Bill the better part of 2 decades. His commitment to his businesses , customers and staff has been unwavering. He is an ethics and principals driven leader who has suceeded in almost everything i know he has put his mind and efforts towards. His is involvement and deication to ARIN and its goals, has been a passion for him, despite a busy work and family life..I strongly support his continued participation and leadership on its Board.

    Doug North – SUSE Networks Canada

  9. Mike Steele

    My name is Mike Steele. I was in education at the Secondary level for 32 years.
    Many students stand out in your mind for the rest of your life once you meet them. Bill Sandiford is one of those individuals.
    Intelligence, character and a work ethic to reach the goals at hand in his life were paramount in the many years in and out of the school system.
    In it all Bill is a listener. He navigates with ethics to the goals to be attained.
    Most importantly he’s a good man, husband and father. Yes, he is loaded with technical skills but the important thing is that Bill can work with anyone at any level and any anyone would want him to be on their team moving things forward.
    Bill has my highest recommendation!

  10. It is a true honor and pleasure to provide my unqualified support for the re-election of Bill Sandiford to the Board of Trustees. His direct involvement in working with the current members of the Board to develop stronger framework for corporate governance as the maturity of the company that ARIN is now. The creation of the security structure with full buy-in from the senior management shows his deep commitment to the corporate accountability.

    I wholeheartedly endorse Bill, and strongly recommend members vote for his reelection.

  11. Christian Tacit

    I have known Bill for more than twelve years and in that time, he has been tireless in the advancement of a better Internet, as a business person, former chair of a pro-competition industry association in Canada, and as a board member of CIRA and ARIN. Bill is a thoughtful, analytical and collaborative individual. Those qualities, coupled with his deep knowledge of the industry, make him a great candidate to continue serving on the ARIN Board. I wholeheartedly support his candidacy!

  12. Darryl Koster

    I have know Bill Sandiford for over 20 years. In that time he has been a business partner, a mentor, and helped me to get back into computers. We have done business together on many occasions and feel he would be a perfect fit for ARIN. His knowledge is very broad and he continues to grow as a business person and as an individual. Bill would be a welcome addition to any board or business he works with. He would be a great fit for this position.

  13. I have both worked with and for Bill for the past 10+ years and find him very dedicated in the work that he does. Whether it is for CIRA, ARIN, local community hockey, or the ISP community in Ontario and Canada, he always works hard and sees things through. Bill does not shy away from issues and will see them through to conclusion, even if they are difficult. Bill is also a highly technical person and is extremely knowledgeable in all things related to IP addressing and the internet in general.

    I would highly recommend that Bill is re-elected to the Board of Trustees with ARIN and continue the work that he has been doing.

  14. I have known and worked with Bill Sandiford for over a few decades and offer my support on his candidacy for re-election to the Board of Trustees. Bill has always contributed to the community with the greatest integrity, commitment and respect to others.

  15. Jeff Lattomus

    I have known and worked with Bill for over 15 years and could not recommend anyone higher to support the ARIN Board of Trustees. Bill is dedicated to this organization and always been a very strong advocate for all they do. You will not find a better candidate than Bill Sandiford.

  16. Gordon Humphrey

    I feel honoured to write a letter of support for Bill in his bid to be elected to the Board of Trustees of ARIN. I have know Bill for 30+ years, first as his High School Rugby coach and then as his teacher of computer science in his graduating year at Port Perry High School… Through all of this time I have know Bill to be a person of personal integrity, exceptional intelligence, and a committed family and community man. Bill’s C.V. clearly demonstrates that he has a thorough understanding of ARIN and its operations, however, I would suggest that personal integrity trumps all other criteria for Trusteeship and I am willing to vouch for that on the part of Bill. I fully endorse Bill’s candidacy

  17. Michael Inskip

    Bill did a wonderful job with CIRA and would be a valuable to asset to your Board. He has my full support because of the work he did with CIRA – and his character which sets him apart; people skills, intelligence, determination and integrity.

  18. i firmly believe Bill Sandiford will be an excellent contributor for the ARIN Board of Trustees. His administrative and technical expertise should prove invaluable to the Board.
    John E. Downs, P.Eng.
    Former owner of the Nexicom Group of Companies

  19. Wiz K.

    Competent, Highly Competent and More Competent. Key strength is separating substance from noise, and giving thoughtful consideration to developing/evaluating and actioning paths to resolution. Echoing earlier comment, Bill is not afraid to be the Voice in the room – in support of good things or dissenting on bad things. Endorsing, without hesitation.

  20. I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside Bill for over 10 years now. Bill is tireless in his work to make the internet ecosystem an open, secure, reliable, global resource. I fully endorse Bill as a candidate for re-election.

  21. Tina Morris

    I have worked with Bill in a number of leadership positions for many years, and fully support his bid for another term on the ARIN board.

  22. Bram Abramson

    I’ve known Bill for about a decade now. He has built networks, built businesses, and held a range of leadership and governance roles around the sector, including what have grown into deep roots at ARIN. Throughout, he has shown organization, insight, empathy, and the capacity to empower those around him — without being shy to step up when stepping up is what the situation wants. As a long-time telecom lawyer with a history of advising on governance, and more recently as a board member alongside Bill, I have no hesitation in supporting him, and urging others to consider doing so, too.

  23. I have known Bill for over 25 years. A veteran of the industry with deep knowledge and passion. He understands detailed nuances and can work through them in a forward thinking manner.

  24. Lynn Gravel

    I am pleased to write a letter of support for Bill Sandiford. I worked closely with Bill over the past 10 years while he served on CIRA’s Board of Directors. Bill served on many committees during his term as well as Vice-Chair and Chair of various committees. I fully endorse Bill’s candidacy for re-election.

  25. I have known Bill in our internet industry for 16 years and he is very qualified and strongly recommend electing him to the Board of Trustees.

  26. Matthew Wilder

    Bill is very much attuned to the needs of the Internet community, and I am confident that ARIN and its members will be well served with Bill continuing to serve on the board, particularly at a time where the board is expanding.

  27. Jill Kowalchuk

    It is my pleasure to write a statement of support for Bill Sandiford on the ARIN board. I have worked closely with Bill on the Canadian Internet Registry Authority (CIRA) since 2017. Bill is a strong director who comes prepared for meetings and understands the value on thoughtful contribution, debate, and consensus. As Co-Chairs of the CIRA Community Investment Committee for two years, Bill demonstrated the skills and expertise required to effectively chair a committee and ensure contribution from all participants. Bill will make an exceptional Director on the ARIN Board of Trustees.

  28. I have known Bill Sandiford for many years, and believe his continued membership on the ARIN Board of Trustees will provide great benefit to the community of IP resource holders in our region. Bill is a very capable, resolution oriented individual, and I endorse his candidacy for re-election.

  29. Quality isn’t Job One. Being totally farking amazing is Job One. That’s Bill.

  30. Andres Escobar

    I had the pleasure of working with Bill Sandiford on the board of CIRA for nine years; I learned a great deal from Bill and his pragmatic approaches to good governance and leadership. Bill was able to help build a foundation of trust and respect, which is requirement for any well-functioning board. He was always willing to challenge my assumptions and conclusions, reconsider his own, and improve our decision making process.

    I encourage ARIN members to once again place their trust in Bill Sandiford and reelect him as a Trustee.

  31. I have known Bill in our internet industry for many years and he is very qualified and strongly recommend electing him to the Board of Trustees.

  32. Don Bowman

    I worked closely with Bill Sandiford on the Board of Directors for CIRA (the Conadian Internet Registry Authority).
    Bill is excellent to work with in this regard. The right amount of passion for the topic and dispassionate decision making. He understands the technology, the people, the role.
    Engaged, dynamic, motivated. I think he would represent me well in this role on the Board of Trustees.

    I would not hestitate to work with Bill again in any tech governance role.

  33. John Demco

    I fully endorse Bill’s candidacy. I worked with Bill for many years on the CIRA Board. He understands and practices good board governance. He conducts himself with integrity, and is well-prepared, forthright, and easy to get along with. He can be counted on to handle difficult situations well.

  34. I’m proud to offer my support and my vote for Bill Sandiford’s re-election to the Board of Trustees. Bill deserves another term as a Trustee (and Chair). I’ve known and worked with Bill Sandiford as a network operator, a business person and an ARIN participant for a long time. Since our very first encounter, I have found Bill Sandiford to be engaged, thoughtful and constructive. He has always provided relative and reasonable contributions to policy and the running of the organization. He really earned his way from the Advisory Council to the Board. Looking forward to another term for Bill.

  35. Byron Holland

    I have known and worked with Bill in the Internet ecosystem for over a decade, primarily from a governance perspective. He understands the technology, the issues, and governance, a trifecta when it comes to being a good Board member. But more importantly for a high functioning Board he is easy to work with, a great people person, respectful of other people’s views and a consummate facilitator.

    I fully endorse Bill’s candidacy for re-election.

  36. Helen McDonald

    I have worked beside Bill for six years on the CIRA board. I would strongly endorse him for the ARIN board. He is very experienced in Internet governance, is always well prepared for meetings, and exceptional in dealing with unexpected or difficult situations I like that he is not seeking election to polish his CV but to contribute to an industry he cares about. A solid and amiable contributor.

  37. Chris McCannell

    I have known Bill for over 20 years. He is a hardworking and dedicated and would make an excellent choice for the Board of Trustees

  38. Norman Tomlins

    I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Bill in a personal and professional capacity for over 10 years. He is extremely knowledgeable, passionate, and dedicated to ARIN’s success and mission.

    I strongly encourage you to re-elect him to the Board of Trustees for an additional term.

  39. Nancy Carter

    I am pleased to write a letter of support for Bill Sandiford. I have worked closely with Bill over the past 5 years in my role as Treasurer on the ARIN Board of Trustees and have found him to be the kind of board member that is easy to work with. He is supportive, collaborative, dedicated, personable, and knowledgeable. In his role as Chair he runs every Board meeting with respect and order and our meetings are productive. Bill always conducts himself with the greatest integrity. I encourage you to re-elect Bill to the ARIN Board of Trustees. He is an engaged, dynamic, and motivated Board member and I believe that his demonstrated commitment as well as his governance experience and technical knowledge are assets to the organization and the ARIN community. I fully endorse Bill’s candidacy!

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